2025 USL Cup Recap: Rhode Island FC 0(0), Sacramento Republic FC 0(3)

They say the semi-final is the hardest game to coach in knockout competitions. That was the task ahead of both coaches as both teams set out to claim their spot in the USL Cup Finals.

Rhode Island were fighting in the regular season for the playoff places. They were in 9th place, just two points away from the cutoff line. Coach Khano Smith had a solid defensive side that were among the best in terms of clean sheets and goals conceded. But it was the offense that wasn't clicking. Despite being among the top teams in shots, they were dead last in goals scored. The team was generating chances but could not get the final touch to capitalize on those opportunities. And finding that key to unlock the attack would be pivotal in this match against Sacramento's elite defense and the playoff race going into the final stretch of the regular season. The last match in this competition was a 1-0 win over Birmingham in the quarterfinals.

Sacramento were hunting down the lead of the Western Conference, sitting 6 points away from the conference leaders. The Republic have been on a recent hot streak as they've only lost one match in their last eleven. This includes their last match out, getting a historic first win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. They won 2-0 on the road as Rodrigo Lopez and Russell Cicerone were the scorers on the night. The last match in this competition for the Republic was a penalty shootout win against Loudoun. And the last time these two sides met was earlier in the season, where the Republic won 2-0 with Rodrigo Lopez and Cristian Parano scoring.

Coach Khano Smith made this selection for Rhode Island:

The Semifinal XI 💪 pic.twitter.com/e0QuJ9oVoA

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) September 10, 2025

Coach Neill Collins had this lineup for Sacramento:

Starting XI for this evening#SACvsRI | @TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/Aheyft4Xk3

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) September 10, 2025

A couple of changes from the setup that won against Tampa Bay. Jared Mazzola resumed being the keeper in cup competitions as he got the starting nod. Rodrigo Lopez took one of the midfield spots as he was paired with Nick Ross. And Cristian Parano got the start on the right wing.

The first chance of the night came in the 9th minute. Jack Gurr won a free kick down the right flank just outside of Rhode Island's box. Both Rodrigo Lopez and Michel Benitez were standing over the bar and it would be Benitez to put an in-swining ball into Rhode Island's box. The chance was on target but it was touched over the bar by the Rhode Island keeper, Koke Vegas.

Koke Vegas again was called on in the 22nd minute. Cristian Parano won the ball in the midfield and took a look ahead to see Russell Cicerone streaking into the Rhode Island box. A first-time ball got between the defenders and to the striker. The shot was taken with Cicerone's right foot but was aimed at Koke Vegas as it deflected out for a corner kick.

Both sides were trying to find space down the flank. The duel between Jack Gurr and Aldair Sanchez, two of the league's premier chance creators, was fun to watch. Especially since it was a former Republic player in Aldair Sanchez fighting Gurr. You'd think he's one of the most equipped players to deal with the playstyle of Gurr. But both teams were sending in crosses from both flanks, but they were all eventually handled by each team's keeper.

At halftime, the sides were even at zero goals apiece. Neither team was able to find a breakthrough, but it seemed that Koke Vegas was the keeper that had the most action. Sacramento were combining well down the wide channels to find crosses into the box. But the crosses were just missing their targets or finding the hands of Koke Vegas. On the other end of the field, Jared Mazzola didn't really have much to do. The Republic defenders were doing well to stick with their marks and not allow much space in front of goal to allow a shot. The shot discrepancy was in favor of the Republic with 7 shots to Rhode Island's 3.

The second half had more of the same action with crosses being put in the box but being cleared or caught by the opposing keepers.

There weren't many shots on target in the second half. Joseph Brito let one fly from distance in the 74th minute, but Jared Mazzola handled it.

Coach Collins made a pair of substitutions in the 78th minute. Luis Felipe and Dominik Wanner stepped on to replace Nick Ross and Khori Bennett. Wanner moved into the left winger spot, pushing Russell Cicerone centrally in the front line.

Rhode Island came close in the 81st minute. A cross put into Sacramento's box bounced around between the Republic defense. Maxi Rodriguez made a run in to get to the ball and shot was trying to sneak into the near post but it missed the target. And then in the 82nd minute, Maxi Rodriguez nearly struck again. A cross from the left moved to the middle of the Republic box. Rodriguez shook free of his mark and got onto the ball, but Jared Mazzola stormed out of his goal to cut down the shot and clear it out from his box.

JARED MAZZOLA 😱 🧱@SacRepublicFC stays level in the final minutes!#USLJägermeisterCup pic.twitter.com/3MClhGAiO4

— USL Jägermeister Cup (@USL_Cup) September 11, 2025

The penalty shootout was looming but Sacramento were still sending numbers forward to find a winner. And they nearly got it in the 88th minute. Rodrigo Lopez sent a long ball that was beautifully controlled by Jack Gurr. The defender dribbled into Rhode Island's box and fired an effort low to the ground. Koke Vegas stepped out from his goal to close the angles and was able to block the shot.

And it would be a penalty shootout to determine who moved on to the final. And it would be Sacramento to prevail on the shootout. Rodrigo Lopez, Russell Cicerone, and Michel Benitez all stepped up to convert their penalties. Meanwhile, Jared Mazzola was magical again to get two saves on Rhode Island with the remaining taker putting the shot over the bar.

Nothing getting past Mazzola tonight. 🧱
Mazzola shuts it down and we’re headed to the Jägermeister Cup Final! pic.twitter.com/pMZ50392J5

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) September 11, 2025

Sacramento secured their place in the finale of this year's USL Cup. It wasn't a pretty performance. But it was a performance on a long road trip that got the job done. Rhode Island was going to be tough defensively to break down and they were. That being said, Sacramento were the more dangerous of the two sides and definitely had their opportunities to test Koke Vegas in net. And I feel like being in the penalty shootout is the Republic's natural state of being. All takers converted their chances and Jared Mazzola again came up big to stop Rhode Island. The final is now on the horizon! But before we get there the next game for the Republic is back at home against long-time rivals, Phoenix Rising. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• Jared Mazzola is a magical man who makes magical saves.
• It wasn't pretty. But the Republic did what they needed to do to get the result.
• The Republic backline did well to neutralize the Rhode Island attack for the most part.

Sacramento Republic FC: 0 goals, 10 shots, 4 shots on target, 51.6% possession, 5 corners, 3 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Rhode Island FC: 0 goals, 9 shots, 3 shots on target, 48.4% possession, 3 corners, 1 offsides, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Jared Mazzola, Lee Desmond, Rayan Djedje, Freddy Kleeman, Jack Gurr, Michel Benitez, Nick Ross (OUT, 78'), Rodrigo Lopez, Russell Cicerone, Khori Bennett (OUT, 78'), Cristian Parano

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, AJ Edwards, Ryan Spaulding, Dominik Wanner (IN, 78'), Luis Felipe (IN, 78'), Cristian Parano, Sebastian Herrera, Lewis Jamieson

What were your thoughts on the match? Sound off in the comments below!

Follow me on Bluesky (@allisquail.bsky.social) for live match coverage and more!

Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)